Dav Whatmore expressed his interest to coach the Indian cricket team as soon as the debate started as to who will be the future coach. Amidst all such speculations ranging over weeks, the Indian board (BCCI) finally admitted that they discussed with Dav his interest in coaching the Indian team.
Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, held a brief meet with Whatmore at Bangladesh where the Indian team is playing a two test match series. Shah, who returned from Bangladesh Sunday morning, said he was “satisfied” with his “brief meeting” with Whatmore and would report his feedback to the seven-member committee appointed to search a new coach for the side.
Whatmore wanted to meet me. I couldn’t say no. I met with him yesterday. I will report the details to the committee. I am satisfied with the meeting. It was a brief meeting, it lasted for five-ten minutes. Whatmore expressed his desire to coach India.
The seven-member committee, includes former captains Ravi Shastri (present manager for the Indian team), Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Sunil Gavaskar, would meet in Bangalore on June 4 and the new coach would be named a few days later.
However, the board refutes having selected Whatmore as the future coach as is being reported in the media. A senior board official said, The board hasn’t shortlisted anybody. Whatmore met with Shah to express his interest but the decision on the next Indian coach will be taken only a week or two before the India team leaves for Ireland on June 20.
The present Bangladesh coach, Whatmore has emerged as a major contender for the post vacated by Greg Chappell. He has the distinction of taking the Sri Lankan side of 1996 to new heights. And also the Bangladeshi side’s recent performances are a clue to the capability of the coach. However, who gets the reign of coaching the Indian side in his hands remains to be seen.
via:Cricinfo
